RTI activist shot dead in UP; police gives security to family

Hapur: A 70-year-old RTI activist was shot dead by three unidentified assailants outside his house here on Monday, prompting authorities to transfer the probe to Special Task Force and provide security to his family.

Mangat Tyagi, who had filed around 14,000 RTI applications and unearthed various cases of corruption in government departments, was shot dead by three car-borne assailants when he was standing outside his house in Bankhanda village on April 14.

"In view of threats to Tyagi's family, district and police administrations have decided to provide round-the-clock security to them. From today, two police personnel will be deployed outside their house," Hapur District Magistrate Rajesh Kumar Singh told PTI.

"We have recommended STF probe into Tyagi's murder and it will begin soon. All accused will be arrested," he added.

Meanwhile, police sources said they have got some leads in the case.

"Police have got some important cues and the case would be solved soon. Police are also scanning the role of corrupt officials, against whom Tyagi had filed RTI applicants," a senior police officer sad.